All articles tagged with #asia
The United States will not participate in large-scale amphibious exercises with South Korea next month due to demands in the Middle East and Iran-related resource strains, raising questions about the sustainability of U.S. military commitments in Asia; South Korea confirms the U.S. won’t take part in the Ssangyong drills this year.
A string of attacks including arson, explosions, tire burning and a robbery struck Thailand’s three southern border provinces—Yala, Pattani and Narathiwat—late Saturday night, damaging government vehicles, telecom towers, signs, CCTV cameras, and a 7‑Eleven, prompting security teams to inspect the affected areas.
A Hong Kong court convicted veteran pro-democracy activists Lee Cheuk-yan and Chow Hang-tung of incitement to subversion for organising the Tiananmen vigil, a verdict tied to a broader crackdown on dissent under the national security framework; they could face up to 10 years in prison, with sentencing to come.
In Zamboanga City, Grade 9 student Mohammad Mael Jalani opened fire inside a high school attached to Ateneo de Zamboanga University, killing a Grade 10 student and apparently himself; the attacker wore a body camera and livestreamed parts of the attack, police recovered pistols, and hundreds of students were evacuated as investigators probe motive and premeditation.
A magnitude-7.7 earthquake struck off Flores Island in Indonesia, killing at least 38 people and flattening many buildings as aftershocks followed; a tsunami warning was briefly issued before being lifted, and rescuers deployed helicopters and boats to reach affected areas while about 2,000 residents evacuated to shelters.
Zelensky warned that Russia, for the first time in history, cannot sustain its war without North Korea’s aid, saying Moscow is getting ballistic missiles and preparing to deploy more NK troops as Pyongyang gains battlefield experience and could threaten Japan, South Korea, and the Philippines; he framed the conflict as North Korea’s growing security challenge beyond Europe.
A 14-year-old boy opened fire at a Thai school, killing eight people and injuring more than 20 in what authorities call Thailand’s deadliest mass shooting since 2022. Investigators say the boy learned how to use a firearm via social media and watched violent content online; a BB gun had been confiscated by a teacher the previous year. The shooter’s father publicly apologized, saying, “I am deeply sorry to all the families.” Officials are discussing tighter gun controls and school-safety measures, including mental health screenings and emergency drills, in response to the incident.
Markets saw a renewed AI-driven selloff, with Samsung and SK Hynix plunging and Korea’s Kospi triggering circuit breakers as tech names slide, while Nvidia shares fell on reports of a potential OpenAI funding backstop and Apple reclaimed the title of the world’s most valuable company. Luxury house LVMH posted a 3% rise in Q2 sales led by watches and jewelry, even as heatwaves threaten wildfires in France and Spain. Oil prices drift lower on optimism for U.S.-Iran de-escalation, and SpaceX’s market value continues to erode amid ongoing trading volatility.
Starlux Airlines has opened a large block of lie-flat business-class award seats to Asia via Alaska Airlines Atmos Rewards. Availability is wide from five U.S. gateways (LAX, SFO, ONT, SEA, PHX) to Taipei (TPE), priced at 75,000–85,000 Atmos Rewards points one-way, plus modest taxes. Bookings are made directly through Alaska Airlines, with travel dates spanning July 2026 to June 2027 and some flights offering up to four seats per flight. This makes Starlux’s premium product a strong value for Asia travel when award space is available.
A Pew Research Center survey of more than 40,000 people across six continents finds China is viewed more positively than the United States in 27 of 36 countries, signaling a global shift as perceptions of the U.S. sour and China increases influence through investments and diplomacy; the report also notes changing views on democracy and freedom.
A pickup truck carrying wedding guests collided on an Indonesian highway, killing at least 13 people and injuring several others after the impact hurled passengers onto the road; police said the overturned vehicle was then struck in the opposite lane by another truck, with five survivors hospitalized and authorities launching an investigation into the crash. Officials note deadly traffic accidents are common in Indonesia due to overloaded vehicles and gaps in road-safety enforcement.
Canada unveiled a plan for a more-than-1,000-km west‑coast oil pipeline from Alberta to British Columbia to export up to 1 million barrels per day to Asia, using the existing Trans Mountain corridor. Built by Trans Mountain Corp with Pembina Pipeline, the project aims for ground‑breaking by 2027 and could attract over C$200 billion in direct investment while expanding LNG terminals and upgrading the Vancouver port. Ottawa says the pipeline would diversify Canada’s energy exports away from the US, which currently buys the bulk of Canadian oil, but the plan faces environmental, Indigenous and regional political concerns, including an Alberta independence referendum in the works.
Canada unveiled plans for a more-than-1,000-km oil pipeline from Alberta to British Columbia to export up to 1 million barrels per day to Asia, part of a broader strategy to reduce dependence on the US. The project would be built by Trans Mountain Corp with Pembina Pipeline, aiming to attract over C$200 billion in direct investments and expand LNG terminals and Vancouver’s port capacity. Led by Prime Minister Mark Carney, the plan signals a shift toward Asian energy markets, though it faces environmental and Indigenous concerns.
Eurovision’s chief dismisses claims of financial woes tied to boycotts, confirms CBC’s full membership and Canada’s upcoming participation, reiterates Israel’s continued eligibility, and outlines plans for a first-ever Eurovision Asia in Thailand—expanding the brand beyond Europe while keeping its core identity.
An 11-year-old boy driving a pickup plowed into a line of monks on a 260-km pilgrimage in northeastern Mukdahan province, Thailand, killing eight monks and injuring 14 others; the driver is in custody as police and state child-protection officers investigate, with witnesses saying the vehicle swerved before the impact.